NDA 2026 Age Limit, Exam Dates and Eligibility: Complete Guide

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) organizes the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, which is the main way for candidates to enter the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The NDA exam conducts this exam in 2026 to join the Indian Armed Forces, and this guide discusses the NDA 2026 age limit, eligibility criteria, exam dates, application process, and preparation tips.

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NDA 2026 Overview

Before you concentrate on details such as eligibility and date. Lets first look at an overview of NDA 2026, understand the test format and details

Detail	Information
Exam Name	National Defence Academy Exam 2026
Conducting Authority	UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
Exam Frequency	Twice a year (NDA I & NDA II)
Exam Mode	Pen & Paper based
Vacancies	Around 400
Level	National Level
Mode of Application	Online only
Application Fee	Rs. 100/- (exemptions for SC/ST, female, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs)

NDA Exam 2026 Dates

Event	NDA 1 2026	NDA 2 2026
Notification Release	10 Dec 2025	20 May 2026
Application Start	10 Dec 2025	20 May 2026
Application End	30 Dec 2025	9 June 2026
Application Correction	2nd week Jan 2026	2nd week June 2026
Admit Card	4th week Mar 2026	4th week Aug 2026
Exam Date	12 Apr 2026	13 Sep 2026
Result Announcement	1st week May 2026	Sep 2026
SSB Interview	May/June 2026	Oct 2026

NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Not everyone is eligible to apply for NDA, eligibility stipulations must get matched. So let’s take a look at the full eligibility criteria for NDA 2026 below.

Nationality

• Citizens of India and also people from Nepal.
• People of Indian ancestry who have moved from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or countries in East Africa and desire to travel to India to live on a permanent basis.

NDA Age Limit 2026

• NDA 1 2026 age limit: Between 2nd July 2007  and 1st July 2010
• NDA 2 2026 age limit: Between 2 January 2008 and 1 July 2011
• Only unmarried male and female candidates shall be eligible.

Educational Qualification

• Army Wing: 10+2 or equivalent qualification from a recognized board.
• Air Force & Naval Wings: 10+2 with physics, chemistry & mathematics from a recognized board.
• Those who are taking the qualifying exam are also eligible.

Physical Standards

• Candidates must be physically and mentally fit.
• Complete medical tests after passing the written test.
• Height and other medical requirements apply.

NDA 2026 Application Form

Once you met the eligibility criteria, the next step would be to filling the application form – let me take you through that step by step.

• The application form will be available online only.
• NDA 1 2026 Application Form Date: 10 Dec 2025 – 30 Dec 2025
• NDA 2 2026 Application Form Date: 20 May 2026 – 9 June 2026
• Upload scanned photograph and signature.
• Application fees to be paid online (Master, Visa, Rupay, UPI) or offline using SBI challan.
• Take a printout for future reference.

Application Correction

It doesn’t matter if you made a mistake while filling the form, don’t panic, the correction facility can save your attempt. So here is what you must know.

• NDA 1: 2nd week Jan 2026
• NDA 2: 2nd week June 2026
• The only correction may be done in online mode during the given period.

NDA 2026 Exam Pattern

Familiarity with the exam pattern of NDA 2026 helps the candidate manage time during the exam and strategize attempts in a way that they can maximize marks based on the strategy employed by the aspirant.

• Exam Mode: Pen & Paper
• Sections: Mathematics (300 marks) & General Ability Test (600 marks)
• Duration: 2.5 hours per section
• Type: Objective questions
• Language: Mathematics in English; GAT in English & Hindi
• Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for wrong answers
• SSB Interview: 900 marks
  

Section-wise Marks Distribution

Section	Marks
Mathematics	300
General Ability Test (GAT)	600
SSB/Interview	900

NDA 2026 Syllabus Highlights

For aspirants, the first step is doing an overview of NDA 2026 syllabus highlights. This details the essential topics, prime section topics, and weightage for each session, which provides candidates an awareness with which they can have priority of preparation. 

Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Vector Algebra, Matrices & Determinants, Analytical Geometry, Statistics, Probability.

General Ability Test: English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events.

NDA 2026 Preparation Tips

Good tips for preparation for the NDA 2026 exam will be necessary to convert hard work into results. Here are some helpful tips :

1. Stick to the official syllabus.
2. Make a practical timetable and assign time to each subject.
3. Do daily practice tests and review your performance.
4. Work through last years’ question papers.
5. Prepare short notes and revise consistently.
6. Maintain a healthy diet and get 6-7 hours of sleep per day.

Why Join NDA 2026?

NDA to join Indian Armed Forces is a respectful career that advocates growth, discipline, and service to the Nation. After clearing NDA and SSB, one can join the Army, Navy, or Airforce.

At Trishul Defence Academy, we have best NDA coaching in India after 10th, which provides both online & offline classes, with us you can prepare NDA 2026 with guidance, mock test and mentorship from experts. 

FAQ’S:

1. Who is eligible for NDA 2026?

Unmarried male and female candidates belonging to the age limit and educational qualifications (10+2 for Army; 10+2 with PCM for Air Force & Navy) can apply. 

2. When is the next NDA exam 2026?

NDA 1 2026 exam date is on 12th April 2026 and NDA 2 will be held on 13th September 2026. 

3. Can a 2007 born apply for NDA 2026?

Yes if the other age and educational qualifications requirements are met a candidate born in 2007 will be able to apply to NDA 1 2026.

4. Who is eligible for NDA 2 2026?

The NDA 2026 age limit mandates candidates to be aged 16.5 and 19.5 years, as per the date of birth of the candidates. All unmarried male and female candidates shall be eligible to apply for the examination only if they are within the NDA eligibility age limit 2026.

5. What is the NDA 2026 application process?

You will apply online via the UPSC website, fill out the form, complete OTR process, upload documents, pay fee, and submit.